Yes it is an accurate assessment, Khandro.
If you read the Guardian article it says that UK Emigration [I.e. those leaving] is at its lowest since 2001. It goes on to say that this reduction is driving an increase in net migration, which is exactly what was said last week. In actual fact more than half a million people arrived to settle in the UK, The figure I quoted is NET migration:
Figures for the twelve months to September 2013:
Those leaving: 320,000 (343,000 a year earlier)
Those arriving: 532,000 (497,000 a year earlier)
Thus a net increase of 212k compared to an increase of 154k a year earlier. (Population of Exeter 126k, that of Taunton 61k)
And in any case, as I have said before, net migration is a disingenuous measure because it deliberately hides the “population swap” which is taking place. Most other countries (particularly, but not exclusively, those outside the EU) are a bit more choosey about whom they allow to settle than is the UK. As a result those moving out tend to be either highly skilled high earners or self-sufficient fairly affluent retired people. By contrast many of those arriving tend to be unskilled people looking for fairly low paid work. Additionally the arrivals tend to be young and will no doubt increase the population considerably by natural means themselves..
Furthermore, the accommodation vacated by those leaving from Taunton and Exeter is unlikely to be affordable for those arriving and they need housing in the ever diminishing social housing sector or in privately rented accommodation with hefty Housing Benefit support.
If you believe it is in the UK’s interests to continue to sustain this population swap and increase I’d be interested to hear why. I’d also be interested how you expect the country to cope with such an sustained increase when housing, transport, education, health and many other vital services are already critically stretched. Then perhaps we’d establish more accurately just who are the fruitcakes.